The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Song of Songs 7:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I to my beloved, and his turning is towards me.

Douay-Rheims

וְחִכֵּ֕ךְ כְּיֵ֥ין הַטּ֛וֹב הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְדוֹדִ֖י לְמֵישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

4 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

When I seek repentance, He will come back to me. This may also signify the moment of His second coming or the day of conversion for the Jewish people.

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

In the baptized, the Church radiates beauty. Thus, God proclaims, ‘You are all beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish in you. Come with me from Lebanon, O bride, come with me from Lebanon!’ (Song of Songs 4:8). By proclaiming the Gospel to the nations, she journeys through this life toward Christ. God again addresses her with words of admiration: How lovely you are, desirable one, rich in beauty! Your stature is like a palm tree, and your bosom resembles a vine (Song of Songs 7:8).

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The laurel and palm tree symbolize triumph: laurel wreaths grace the heads of victors, while the palm adorns the hand of those who conquer. Hence, the Church exclaims, ‘I will ascend to the fig tree, I will grasp its top’ (Song of Songs 7:8; LXX). Recognizing the heights of the Word and having faith in the possibility of reaching His heights and the pinnacle of wisdom, she declares her intent to climb the fig tree. Let one abandon all lower pursuits and strive for the higher calling, which is the glorious reward of Christ, to gather and savor His delectable fruits, for the fruit of righteousness is delightful.

Therefore, emulate her, O man, so that it may be said of you, ‘Your stature is like a palm tree’ (Song of Songs 7:8). Maintain the vitality of your youth and the innate purity you have received from the start, that, like a tree planted by streams of water, you may in your season bear fruit, and your leaves may not wither. Hence, be rooted in the Lord’s house, flourishing in His courts like a palm tree, that the grace of the Church may enter you, causing your senses to experience a fragrance like apples (Song of Songs 7:9) and your throat to taste like the finest wine, so that you may be intoxicated with Christ.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

Here we can observe the deep affection the Bride has for her Bridegroom. Alongside the Blessed Apostle Paul, she considers herself an aspirant yet to reach her full potential, but instead of dwelling on the past, she eagerly stretches forward. This is reflected in his words: 'I will ascend the fig tree; I will take hold of its height.' She seeks not satisfaction in her current state but desires to attain completeness in understanding and love for the Bridegroom. 'Your breasts will be like clusters of the vine.' Indeed, you are the true vine (Jn. 15:5) from which the life-giving wine will flow, filling the cup that nourishes my spirit (Ps. 22:5).

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'The fragrance of your breath is like apples, and your throat like fine wine that goes down sweetly for my Brother in righteousness; it is enough for my mouth and my tooth.' The teachings you share, my Brother, for the upliftment of the faithful, are more delightful than wine and surpass all earthly pleasures. 'It is enough for my mouth and my tooth; it suffices that I proclaim part of it, while cherishing the rest in silence.'

Ireneus (Orda)

19th centuryCommentator

In the distance, Sulamita appears in radiant beauty, unaware of her friends nearby. She expresses her intention to visit the vineyard (6:9-11). Her companions encourage her to speak to them (12), but the bridegroom, who suddenly arrives, diverts their attention and begins anew to sing praises for his beloved, concluding with his longing to savor the delightful fruits of the date and grape, likening them to his bride (7:1-9).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.